Robotics, aeromodelling and quill paper jewellery are few of the quirky workshops and camps that will keep your young ones occupied this summer. By Shrabasti Mallik and Sharang Bhaskaran
Pottery, rock climbing, theatre and calligraphy are passe. If you are bored of these activities to indulge in, you are in luck. Summer camps and organisations across the city are offering some quirky, off-the-track options for your kids. From building robots to making jewellery from quill paper and from aeromodelling to learning to carve designs on vegetables and fruits — you may take a pick.
For the tech geeks
We have all loved Baymax (your personal healthcare companion) from the movie Big Hero 6 and Wall E. They were no conventional robots but they walked, talked and were almost capable of human emotions. You may not be able to carry out such intricate works of technology but you sure can try your hand at the basic stuff.
Select workshops and camps across town are ready to help you learn the basics in robot making. At Robocamp, children of ages 12 and above learn the basics of building robots through a rudimentary training of the engineering that goes behind making one. The camp, like the others, teaches them the basics of robot modelling and how they are programmed through a practical demonstration of building circuits and sensors that are the essential components of a functioning robot.
A batch of 20 students is divided into multiple age groups and are taught at different levels of difficulty, in a duration of one to four weeks. “Through this workshop, children will be able to develop their technical skills and get to know of some of the very basics of engineering. Also, they will develop their team skills and communication which are very important for all scientific and technological activities,” said Vaibhav Agarwal, director, Robocamp. The children are taught through practical and demonstrative classes that make it easy for them to understand the engineering concepts and work with electronic equipment and hardware.
And if being in the air is more your calling, then Aeronautical Summer Camp is ready to take you there. Here, you not only learn how to sketch the model of an aeroplane but also get to try your hands on the entire process of building one. “With these activities, kids will develop analytical and scientific thinking and be inspired to pursue this as a profession. We also encourage them to convert their knowledge to creativity,” said Varnika, director of the summer camp. Here, too, there is a limit to the number of participants in a batch. “We do not exceed 30,” she added. There are several such camps in the city.
For the artist in you
Do you think that quill paper can be used only for making greeting cards and photo framesIJ Mala Gupta will tell you otherwise. Her workshops train kids to make jewellery from quill paper. Yes, and they are pretty fashionable, too. “learning never stops,” says the lady who learnt the art from her daughter and now conducts workshops of her own. “The pieces of jewellery that are made are niche and wearable. We teach kids to make pendants, necklaces and studs,” she said adding that the activity sows the seeds of patience because quill works demand a very minute eye for details. “It is almost meditative and has a soothing effect on the mind and body. It also increases the level of concentration because you have to focus on finer details. Plus, it also teaches perseverance,” said Gupta, an IT professional, who will be conducting her workshops at India Habitat Centre in May.
love for food
Kids may not like eating their daily vegetables but we are pretty sure they will have fun learning to cut and join them in curious shapes of a frog, rabbit or even a few flowers and birds. Chef Prabhas Mandal will conduct a workshop for young adults, teaching them how to carve decorative figures from fruits and vegetables. “On a very basic level, it encourages one to exploit their imagination. We demonstrate how it is done and leave them to create something of their own. However, these workshops are also helpful for those looking to work in the hospitality and the F&B industry,” said the chef, who will be conducting his classes at India Habitat Centre.
Groomomg lessons
No, they won’t teach you how to make an entry as a debutante. At the Thespian School Summer Camp, kids are encouraged to develop their personality and boost their confidence through theatrical games and techniques. According to Ishaan Soni, co-founder, “We help children to overcome insecurities through a lot of soul-searching and engage in intense discussion and interactions.” At the end of the 20-day workshop, the kids stage a skit.
For everything else
Well, these were few of the things we found quirky and fun. But you can also engage your kids in various other activities like making a toy or enroll them in a camp training kids in fashion illustration and textile design. Summer in Delhi might not be the best time for adventure sports but a few camps in the city are organising trips to the hills to engage in sports like rappelling, river crossing, flying fox and much more.
The sun will shine, and will shine with all his might, but that should not necessarily stop you from learning a few things. Who knows, you might just find your heart’s calling in one of them.